The Mall

The Mall is a road in Westminster, London which stretches from Buckingham Palace in the west to Trafalgar Square (via the Admiralty Arch) in the east. It was originally a field for playing pall-mall, and, during the 17th and 18th centuries, it became a fashionable promenade bordered by trees. It became a ceremonial route in the early 20th century, and it was used for major national ceremonies such as state visits. It is currently closed to traffic on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and ceremonial occasions.